How do I tension and seal strap?

Steel is usually applied with hand tools, either a tensioner and sealer or a combination “sealless” tool, either manual or pneumatic.

Polypropylene is applied with buckles, which do not require tools, with various hand tool, either manual or powered, or by a machine.

Polyester is applied with hand tools, either manual or powered or with an automatic strapping machine.

Cord strapping is sealed with a wire buckle. Cord can be tensioned either by hand or with a manual tensioner.

Again, work with your local distributor or a qualified expert before deciding what is best for your application. Usually, the more your spend up front on application, the less you’ll spend on waste, material, and the greater your productivity and “joint efficiency”.

What’s joint efficiency?

Any chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The weakest part of the strap is where it is joined together. At the low end of the spectrum are buckles, which require no tools, but only yield a joint equal to less than half the break strength of the strap. At the higher end of the spectrum, friction weld power tools can produce joints over 80%. Spend the money on the right tool and you can use a lower break strength strap and save money in the long run.

What if I need a machine, which is best?

The choice of what machine is right for your application depends on what material you specify, how fast you need to strap your product, and how automated you want the operation to be. Range of choices go from semi-automatic “Table Top “machines, perfect for UPS bundling, to machines that strap full pallets.

For a more complete discussion on selecting the right machine, review the article “Selecting the Right Strapping Machine for Your Application” in the resources section of this website.

Can I automate the strapping function?

I’d like to get rid of steel strapping. It’s dangerous, can I use something else?

For the last few years many strap users have replaced steel strapping with PAC High Strength Polyester. While not every application can be switched, many can. Benefits of changing from steel to polyester may include:

Substantial Cost Savings

A much safer material

Rust free and virtually impervious to normal conditions

It actually works better

How does polyester work better than steel?

If applied properly, polyester acts like a very heavy duty rubber band. It is stretched upon application, and that stretch serves as a “shock reserve” against a settling load, which many are.

Can I use the same tools with polyester as with steel?

Unfortunately, no. With the exception of your dispensers the sealing system is different with polyester, so you’ll have to switch to new tools. Keep in mind that for most applications, savings in the cost of polyester versus steel will make up for the cost of new tools in a few months.

I already wrap my pallets. Why do I need to strap them?

Stretch wrapping offers good protection for your product and side retention, but has little impact on keeping your product firmly on the pallet, where it belongs. Strapping provides vertical retention and keeps your load firmly on the pallet.